Winnipeg Jets Morning Papers

Note:  The Jets finish off their six game home stand tonight against the Flames.  They will have a morning skate at the MTS Centre at 9:30 am with puck drop at 6 pm.  As always keep it locked to illegalcurve.com for pre and post game news and be sure to follow us on social media including Twitter | Facebook | Instagram.

Note II:  The Moose are now two games into their eight game home stand including another loss last night as they got swept by the Checkers.  They will not get ready for the entertaining retro game tomorrow afternoon against the Toronto Marlies.  I will be joining Mitch Peacock in the booth to provide some colour analysis for the next couple of Manitoba games.  Today the team will practice at the IcePlex at 12 noon.

Note III:  Tune into the Illegal Curve Hockey Show on TSN 1290 Winnipeg starting at 9 am as we bring you three hours of Winnipeg Jets, Manitoba Moose and NHL hockey talk.

Jets news:

Winnipeg Sun:  Five keys to Jets vs. Flames.  Paul’s list includes: 1) Between the ears. 2) Replacing Enstrom. 3) Bounce-back from the goalie. 4) Some penalty killing, please. 5) The other special team and his big matchup is momentum vs. doubt. 

Winnipeg Sun:  Jets and Flames headed in opposite directions.  The Flame is shining quite bright these days as these streaking Flames have forced themselves into the playoff mix.  Paul has some theories as to why two similar teams aren’t have similar results.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Trouba focuses on play, not contract extension.  (Paywall).  Most fans wanted to see him here long term and that was prior to his exemplary play this season.  Now that he has shown what he can do there is little question that folks around these parts would love to see him wearing a Jets uniform for a long time.  Mike also writes about the Jets down the stretch and looks at who they play their remaining contests against.

Illegal Curve:  Tobias Enstrom out indefinitely with concussion.  Jets lose a key cog in the wheel, Pens lose a player who doesn’t play for them regularly.  When Jets fans learned that Enstrom would be out indefinitely they were less than pleased.

Illegal Curve:  Jets Practice Report.  A look at what was happening at the MTS Centre during practice which also includes interviews with Blake Wheeler, Jacob Trouba, Mathieu Perreault, Patrik Laine and coach Maurice.

ESPN:  Hot or Not – Mark Scheifele cracks ESPN latest under-24 rankings.   Lots of talk about 55 becoming more recognized around the NHL for his accomplishments this season.

Sportsnet:  If Jets want to make the playoffs they need better goaltending.  Feels like this article would have been more appropriate in January or even February as opposed to March where it feels too little, too late at this point. 

Jets audio:

TSN 1290 Winnipeg:  Laine an underrated playmaker.  Travis Yost joins Hustler & Lawless to explain why Patrik Laine’s playmaking ability, in addition to his prolific goal scoring, should weigh the Calder Trophy race in the Jets’ rookie’s favour.

Moose news:

Illegal Curve:  Moose double jumped in sweep by Checkers losing second game 4-1.  Includes a game recap, goal summary, quick hits and post-game audio from Patrice Cormier and coach Vincent.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Moose have little fight against Checkers.  (Paywall).  Manitoba held a significant shot edge but that clearly didn’t matter as this game was lost in the course of five minutes of the 1st period.  Read Mike’s breakdown of the game.

Winnipeg Free Press:  Lemieux banks on hard work for shot at NHL.  (Paywall).  Once again Mike has a good in-depth read on one of the prospects that has his eye on an NHL job with the Jets.